Let’s Get Real, a Valentine

Let’s get real for a moment, shall we? A real effing Valentine moment. A moment that will likely be interrupted by a small, slimy child, a text from your boss outlining a {mandatory} opportunity for you to get some extra hours on your only scheduled day off or the unmistakable yack/splat sound of dog vomit hitting the floor.

I’m just going to go ahead and assume that you clicked on this post because you relate. Or because you know me personally. Or that it was quite by accident. However it happened, just understand that I’m about to get real honest.

Sometimes life is a complete shit show. Also, February is a HORRIBLE month to focus on love. You’re sick for the billionth time, freezing your ass off, fatter than you’ve ever been and perpetually in another financial month of NOT recovering from Christmas. “What’s that ?” asks the Universe. “Your life needs to be a bit more challenging? Allow me to pop your teenage daughter’s car in a creek and give your dog worms. Also, as a special bonus, I’ll let all the stink bugs in the world know that your home is a perfect place to get out of the cold.”

Then you see an ad. It will say something like this:

“Spice up your Valentines Day with sexy portraits of yourself without a bad attitude, damaged hair, scaly skin or ass zits!! Only one miiiillllion dollars”

Okay, not exactly like that but that’s what you’re thinking.

We do things a bit differently.

First off the “WE” I speak of are Andi Roberts, Jocelyn Adelsperger, Jessica Kufel and me..Jesse Hyde. (the list goes merrily on but we are the core). Guess what? We are generally happy and glamorous, it’s true. But, if you feel like we can’t relate to your “real life” let me just set you straight. Between just the 4 of us, in TWO THOUSAND SIXTEEN ALONE, we have left a marriage, totaled a car, painted a whole house white in a weekend, shaved a head, got a first tattoo, received certified mail from the IRS, grappled with family cancer, struggled with weight, vigilantly watched over fevered babies, cried over family pets, and dyed hair midlife crisis purple all while forming an unbreakable bond that allows us to relate, relate RELATE! So yeah..I guarantee we feel you.

Here is a session example.

Pre Session- Nerves through the roof.

During Session- Bad news from home

After Session- Financial hardships

One year Post Session- Love. And an opportunity to share some real.

Meet Sara. I know, right? (Nope, this is not a super model we hired for marketing. She is a real girl that was nervous as all get out but was determined to step outside of the ol comfort zone and gift some sexy pictures to her Valentine).

Sara and I sipped (chugged) wine at her consultation. While we tried on clothes, we talked about life. Ya know..kids, friends, travels and health. Before she left the space, excitement replaced fear. “We actually have a TON in common!” she said as she laid out accessory possibilities on the couch.

We chatted over facebook in the days before her session and I could tell that nerves were creeping back in. “It doesn’t matter if you forget ALL your clothes and EVERY idea we currently have, we are still going to ROCK this!” I coached.

The day finally arrived and she was laughing in no time being spun about in Lauren’s chair at our hair and makeup station. “Look at those eyes! I just love your face!!”she beamed as she scrunched her loose waves.

Sara’s first outfit was smokin hot! (Too hot for this post actually 😉 and things were off to a magnificent start! “Let’s get you into your second outfit” I heard Andi say vibrantly from behind the velvet curtain.

She emerged 15 minutes later from the dressing room crestfallen, teary eyed and hugged in a robe. We all flocked. What happened? Are you okay? Here, finish my wine while I get you another. Sit down, tell us. She tearfully laid out the story that she had been syringe-feeding 2 baby squirrels and had just gotten word that one had passed away. And this on the heels of the family dog being hit by a car and requiring stitches the same day. Soo…

( Right here. This is the difference. )

We all got a drink. The camera was abandoned. The cleaning of brushes could wait. The heat was cranked up. We supported this woman through her loss. We are all animal lovers. We all had stories. We talked of how lucky her squirrel was in it’s brief life. We held space for that life moment until Sara was in the right head space to continue with the session.

Oh, and we ROCKED IT!

“I love you girls! I will never forget how y’all made me feel during my session with my squirrel dying and my dog getting stitches. That’s life I guess. But this was still one of my favorite days ever! I can’t describe the impact the whole experience had on me. I was going through a rough time trying to sort out the new path God paved in my life. It was time for me to accept my body and what it was going through. It still makes me tear up. You all take such good care of the women that come through your doors.”

What I’m really trying to drive home here is this. Don’t wait until you have your shit together and life is picture perfect to celebrate with Hot Tomato.  Don’t worry that something will come up and be an inconvenience. We’re all women with all kinds of crazy happening in our days and nights and it will ALWAYS be our aim to empower and embolden you with this experience.  Let us be part of your process. Trust us with your heart, not just your photos. It’s a win/win. Also, do it for YOU. Everyone close to you will benefit.

Bring your whole self, especially that sassy heart! (and cute panties…always cute panties!)

Happy Valentines Day from all of us at Hot Tomato!

Written by Andi Roberts